The House received Senate messages regarding the passage of five supplemental bills. The House took up the messages and read the bills a first time. Following the suspension of constitutional rules the bills were read a second and third time and passed.

The House also agreed to amendments made by the Senate in regard to two House bills, took up the bills and passed them with the Senate amendments. The bills were: House Bill 104, which would require notice to the Governor, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the Legislature upon commencement of actions on behalf of the state, and House Bill 101, which relates to the Teachers Pension merger. These bills have all completed legislative action.

The House has adjourned Sine Die.

Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 11:05 PM

Senate Passes Five Supplementals, Amends Teacher Pension Merger Bill

In the first extraordinary session of 2008 the Senate received House messages regarding the passage of four House Bills. The Senate immediately took up three House Bills and read them a first, second and third time and passed them. They were: House Bill 102, which would establish boards of governors for independent community and technical colleges; House Bill 103, which would provide a one-time bonus payment to certain annuitants of the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System; and House Bill 104, which would require notice to the Governor, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the Legislature upon commencement of actions on behalf of the state. All of these bill now go to the Senate for its consideration.

The Senate then took up five supplemental appropriation bills from the Senate Finance Committee and immediately read the bills a first time. Following the suspension of constitutional rules requiring bills be read on three separate days the bills were passed and sent to the House of Delegates for their consideration. These bills were Senate Bill 1006, Senate Bill 1007, Senate Bill 1008, Senate Bill 1009 and Senate Bill 1011.

The Senate also amended and passed House Bill 101. These bills have all completed legislative action.

The Senate has adjourned Sine Die.

Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 05:57 PM

House Meets in Extraordinary Session, Passes Teachers' Pension Merger

The House of Delegates quickly got to work in the First Special Session of 2008, passing 4 bills including the Teachers' Pension merger bill.

House Bill 101 would provide for the voluntary transfer of assets from the Teachers' Defined Contribution Retirement System ("TDC") to the State Teachers Retirement System ("TRS").

Three other bills were passed which included: House Bill 102, which would establish boards of governors for independent community and technical colleges; House Bill 103, which would provide a one-time bonus payment to certain annuitants of the Public Employees Retirement System and the State Teachers Retirement System; and House Bill 104, which would require notice to the Governor, Secretary of the Department of Administration and the Legislature upon commencement of actions on behalf of the state. All of these bill now go to the Senate for its consideration.

The Senate received a veto message for Senate Bill 736. After amending the bill's title to match the text, the bill was repassed. The Senate also repassed three House bills that had been amended by the House after being vetoed.

After a recess, the Senate adjourned sine die.

Sunday, March 16, 2008 - 02:25 PM

House Meets to Address Veto Messages

The House of Delegates briefly met this afternoon and took up three House bills which were vetoed by the Governor. The bills were amended to satisfy the concerns of the Governor and were repassed by the House. The three bills were House Bill 4016, House Bill 4017, and House Bill 4420.

The House is in recess until 3:00 p.m.

Saturday, March 15, 2008 - 10:18 AM

Lawmakers Receive Final Budget Proposal

The Senate and House met as work was finalized on the budget bill. Members were provided with copies of the proposed final version of the budget, which will be voted on tomorrow.

The House and Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Friday, March 14, 2008 - 04:25 PM

Budget Session Extended Until Sunday

The House and Senate met this afternoon and received an executive proclamation extending the budget session until Sunday, March 16.

On March 6, the Legislature adopted House Concurrent Resolution 29, designating an adaptation of the "West Virginia Shawl" as the official state tartan.

Many Americans can claim Celtic roots, and, as a result, more than 20 other states have adopted official state tartans. According to the resolution, a majority of West Virginia's earliest settlers were of Celtic descent.

The pattern for the tartan is based on a previously undiscovered "West Virginia Shawl" found at the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Barboursville. The official state tartan is based on this design and contains the following colors, each one representing a different aspect of the state:

- Scarlet for the state bird, the cardinal - Yellow for the fall colors - Blue for the rivers and lakes - Black for the official state animal, the black bear, and the state's oil and coal resources - Green for the state flower, the rhododendron, and the state's meadows - Azure for the sky - White in order to include all the colors of the United States

Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 02:01 PM

Construction Taking Place at Veterans Memorial

One of the most popular features of the State Capitol Complex is the West Virginia Veterans Memorial, a two-story oval shaped monument honoring more than 10,000 West Virginians who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending our nation during 20th century conflicts.

Designed by P. Joseph Mullins, the memorial is composed of four limestone monoliths surrounded by a reflecting pool and the interior walls are faced in polished black granite etched with the names of the men and women who served in the four major branches of military service. Mullins also sculpted the four figures representing the four major 20th century battles, one figure for each branch of the military.

Construction is currently taking place at the Veterans Memorial to make corrections to names. One of the black granite panels that was damaged when a motorist drove their vehicle through the memorial last March is being replaced. The names that appeared on this panel will be etched on the new panel.

Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 11:32 AM

Senate Meets During 5th Day of Budget Session

The Senate met briefly this afternoon as work continues on the Budget Bill.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 06:22 PM

Legislature Meets to Discuss Budget Bill

Both the House of Delegates and the Senate met today to discuss further the Budget Bill .

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 4:00 p.m

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 03:15 PM

House Continues Work on Budget Bill

The House of Delegates received a proclamation from the Governor this afternoon extending the budget session until no later than Friday, March 14. In addition, the Committee on Enrolled Bills reported the enrollment of several House bills, which have now been officially sent to the Governor.

The House will reconvene at 4 p.m. tomorrow

The Budget Conference Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. today in 451M

Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 11:25 AM

Senate Receives Proclamation From Governor

The Senate met briefly this afternoon to establish a quorum and to receive a proclamation from Governor Manchin extending the session which is not to exceed three days for the purpose of working on the Budget Bill.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.

Senate Conferees will meet today and tomorrow at 4:30 p.m in 451M

Monday, March 10, 2008 - 06:30 PM

Senate Briefly Meets on 2nd Day of Extended Budget Session

Members of the Senate met briefly this evening to establish a quorum and will be meeting throughout the week to work on Senate Bill 150, the Budget Bill.

The Senate will reconvene tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.

Senate Conferees will meet tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. in 451M

Monday, March 10, 2008 - 04:45 PM

House Meets on Second Day of Extended Budget Session

Members of the House of Delegates briefly met to establish a quorum and to inform members that the House would be meeting at 4 p.m. throughout the week while working on the Budget Bill.

The House will reconvene tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 12:28 AM

Legislature Begins Extended Budget Session

Shortly after adjourning the 2008 Regular Session, the Legislature reconvened for the extended session for the purpose of passing the budget bill (Senate Bill 150), for which a conference committee was appointed.

The House of Delegates will reconvene at 4:30 p.m. on Monday. The Senate will reconvene at 6 p.m. on Monday.

Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 12:11 AM

78th Legislature Completes 2nd Regular Session

At midnight tonight, the 78th Legislature concluded its second 60-day regular session. Of the 2,134 bills introduced this session, 243 completed legislation.

The Legislature will continue to meet for an extended session to consider the budget (Senate Bill 150) over the next week.

Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 12:07 AM

Official State Reptile and Fossil Named by 78th Legislature

A resolution naming the Timber Rattlesnake the official state reptile passed on the final night of session. Senate Concurrent Resolution 28 was proposed by an eighth grade class at Romney Middle School in Hampshire County, and makes West Virginia the only state to name the Timber Rattler as its state reptile.

This venomous reptile is the only species of snake in the state with a segmented rattle at the end of its tail. It has brown or black chevron-shaped markings down its back - a pattern the resolution denotes as "reminiscent of West Virginia's fauna and flora". The background color may vary from bright yellow to a dull gray, but entirely black specimens have been recorded. Rattlesnakes rarely exceed six feet in length. Usually a docile snake, rattlers usually occur in remote, rocky, mountainous sections of West Virginia.

The resolution also named Megalonyx Jeffersonii, or Jefferson's Ground Sloth, as the state's official fossil. This giant prehistoric ground sloth was discovered in Monroe County in the 18th century and named after the third president.

Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 07:31 PM

Teacher Pension Bill to be Dealt with in Special Session

House Bill 4496, which would allow the voluntary merger of West Virginia's two teacher retirement programs did not make it out of its assigned conference committee, but will be ready for a special session to be called next weekend. The House and Senate had reached a compromise earlier today, but Governor Manchin is urging a third party evaluate the proposed legislation to ensure accuracy.

Both chambers will be in full swing this evening when they reconvene at 5:30pm. West Virginia Public Broadcasting will offer complete television coverage of floor debates tonight from 8:00pm till the midnight adjournment.

Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 04:08 PM

Bill to Alter County Government Passes in the House

The House passed Senate Bill 481. This bill would authorize physician assistants to conduct mental health hygiene exams. The House also passed Senate Bill 323 which would define stormwater customers of public service districts and allow for the enforcement of municipal pollution control ordinances. In addition, Senate Bill 784,which would create an alternative to a county commission with the creation of a county council consisting of four or more members passed the House.

Senate Bill 503 passed the House today and would require that solid waste facilities permit applicants to furnish fingerprints for criminal background checks.

The House received several reports from the Senate. The House concurred in the Senate amendments for House Bill 4032 and House Bill 4636. The Senate and House also reached an agreement on House Bill 4364 through conference committee and the House voted to pass the bill.

Members of the Senate received messages from the House and voted to concur and pass 18 bills. This includes Senate Bill 533, which relates to motor vehicle dealer requirements and Senate Bill 722, which grants regulatory power to certain Board of Pharmacy facilities.

In addition, the Senate concurred with House amendments and passed Senate Bill 680, which relates to the corporate net income tax and business franchise tax.

The Senate met and adopted two resolutions. Resolution 38 honors Patrick Reale as the winner of the 88th State Golf Amateur Champion and for his hard work and dedication to the sport. Linda Pennington, an employee within the Senate, was remembered by members with Resolution 39.

Consideration of executive nominations will take place as a special order of business on the Senate Calendar at 8:00 p.m. this evening.

The House passed Senate Bill 280 which would modify the Downtown Redevelopment Act by promoting development of areas which are unusable without expenditures. The Constitutional Rule was suspended and Senate Bill 573 was read three times. This bill would increase public school teachers' and service personnel annual salaries. These bills were communicated to the Senate.

The Senate met this evening to suspend the constitutional rule requiring bills be read on three separate days and to pass 28 bills on second reading. One of these bills, House Bill 4637, which would deploy broadband service to the remaining unserved areas of the state. Other bills passed include House Bill 4121, which would allow local governments to use a purchasing card program adminstered by the Auditor, House Bill 4402, which relates to compulsive gambling and House Bill 4527, which would allow county commissions to regulate subdivisions and land development. These bills have now completed legislation.

In addition, 16 bills that were on second reading were advanced to third reading.

The House passed 16 bills which all completed legislative action and were sent to the Governor for his signature. House Bill 265 would provide a way for assessing the value of all aircraft owned or leased by commercial airlines, charter or private carriers and private companies or firms for property tax purposes effective July 1, 2009. The bill would require that the value of the special aircraft property would be its salvage value. Senate Bill 653 would permit internet sales of life, accident and sickness insurance.

The House also received 10 messages from the Senate and concurred in amendment with the nine Senate bills that had amendments. The House passed nine bills with amendments and communicated them to the Senate. Among these are, House Bill 4078 and House Bill 4386.

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Friday, March 07, 2008 - 04:58 PM

Personal Income Tax Adjustment for Retirees Completes Legislation

House Bill 4715 passed the House and was sent to the Senate for consideration. This bill would make a supplementary appropriation to the Department of Transportation. Senate Bill 541, which would continue the personal income tax adjustment for retirees’ receiving pensions from defined pension plans that ended and are being paid a reduced maximum benefit, completed legislative action.

The House refused to concur in Senate amendments for House Bill 3215 which would make changes concerning the community and technical college system. This bill would remove the administrative link between Shepherd University and Blue Ridge CTC as well as the ones remaining between other CTCs and their sponsoring institutions. The House asked the Senate to recede.

In the morning session of the House, three bills on third reading Senate Bill 622, Senate Bill 680 and Senate Bill 699 were passed by the House with amendments and communicated back to the Senate. Senate Bill 680 would make a gradual reduction in the corporate net income tax from 8.75 percent to 6.5 percent over the next five years effective January 1, 2009. This bill would completely eliminate the tax beginning January 1, 2015.

The House received 11 messages from the Senate. The House concurred in amendment for nine of the bills. The House refused to concur in amendment for House Bill 4557 and Senate Bill 571 and will meet with the Senate in conference committees.

The Senate received committee reports and took up House Bill 4287 for immediate consideration and read it for the first time. In addition, there were 16 on third reading up for passage. Thirteen of these passed, including House Bill 3215, which makes several changes concerning the community and technical college system. The bill removes the administrative link between Shepherd University and Blue Ridge CTC as well as the ones remaining between other CTCs and their sponsoring institutions.

House Bill 3201, which would authorize the tax commissioner to refuse, revoke, suspend or refuse to renew a business registration certificate for a business that is the alter ego, nominee or instrumentality of a business was deferred until foot of bills on second reading. House Bill 4016 and House Bill 4017 were laid over.

House Bill 4139, which relates to licensing persons using bioptic telescopic lenses to operate a motor vehicle, was recalled from the House to reconsider amendments. The Senate amended the bill and has asked the House to concur.

This evening, the Senate met to consider 23 bills on second reading. The Senate voted to suspend the constitutional rule requiring bills be read on three separate days and passed eight bills on second reading. House Bill 4157, which allows insurers who have been suspended from writing new policies to continue to service existing policies, was amended and passed.

Constitutional rules were also suspended and one bill on first reading, House Bill 4471, was amended and passed.

Of the bills considered this evening, several were amended and will now be sent to the House for its concurrence. One such bill, House Bill 4386, which would authorize municipalities to create an annual vacant property registration, passed the Senate with amendments. House Bill 4139, which allows persons using bioptic telescopic devices to drive motor vehicles, also passed the Senate with an amendment.

The House met this evening to receive messages from the Senate and to consider bills on second and third reading.

The House passed six Senate bills this evening, 5 of those with amendments that will be sent to the Senate for concurrence. Senate Bill 292 completed legislative action this evening and will allow the Commissioner of Banking to issue bond claims to collect certain unpaid penalties and invoices.

Senate Bill 593 passed the House this evening and will clarify library funding obligation from local share. Senate Bill 476 would create a State Employee Sick Leave Fund. The bill will now be sent back to the Senate for its concurrence. Senate Bill 553 would create a Permitting and Licensing Information Act. Senate Bill 595 passed the House with title amendments and would establish education goals and objectives to be reached by the year 2020. Senate Bill 722 would grant regulatory power to certain Board of Pharmacy facilities.

The House also read 33 bills a second time and advanced them to third reading.

Legislature's Wildlife Day Features Many Mountain State Native Species

Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Day was held at the State Capitol today and biologists from the DNR brought many animals native to West Virginia to Charleston to further educate the public on animal life in the Mountain State. Representatives from the DNR as well as other ecologically friendly groups brought information on how to recognize animals and plants around the state and how to better care for the beautiful surroundings and vistas for which our state is renowned.

Pictured here is an Eastern Corn Snake which can grow up to six feet in length and is native to the Eastern Panhandle, where they are often found in farmlands and feed on small rodents. Corn Snakes are easily recognized due to their attractive and distinct red dorsal blotches outlined in black against a light brown background. Their bellies resemble Maize, or Indian Corn, thus it's name.

Next is Hubert, the opossum, from the Zoo at Oglebay Park in Wheeling, WV. The Virginia Opossum, the species name, is the only marsupial found in North America north of the Rio Grande River. It is the largest member of its genus, family and order and is the largest of the opossums. They are typically 15–20 inches long and weigh between 9 and 13 pounds when fully grown.

The Virginia Opossum is noted for its reaction to threats, which is to feign death, thus the term “playing possum”. Opossums like Hubert can generally be found throughout West Virginia.

Also pictured are two raptors from the Three Rivers Avian Center in Brooks, West Virginia. On the left is a Peregrine Falcon, a rare species in West Virginia according to the DNR and until recently was categorized as threatened. Often considered the fastest bird in the world, Peregrine Falcons currently hold the air speed record for animals with a velocity of 208 miles per hour.

On the right is pictured a Red-Tailed Hawk. The Red-tailed Hawk is widespread in North America and is a popular bird in the sport of falconry. The Three Rivers Avian Center is an animal shelter for injured and endangered wild birds, raptor rehabilitation and environmental education programs.

Thursday, March 06, 2008 - 12:51 PM

House Passes Bill Authorizing Pharmacists to Give Immunizations

The House passed 12 Senate bills on third reading and sent them to the Governor for his signature. Among these bills, Senate Bill 541 would continue the personal income tax adjustment for retirees’ receiving pensions from defined pension plans that ended and are being paid a reduced maximum benefit and Senate Bill 657 would create the Alcohol and Drug-Free Workplace Act which would define how drug testing was to be done.

Eight House bill were reported back from the Senate with amendments. The House concurred in Senate amendments for these eight bills. House Bill 3056 would allow a pharmacist to administer immunizations for Influenza and Pneumonia to any person 18 years or older and House Bill 4628 would provide a $3,000 tax credit per new job filled by an employee per year for taxpayers that don’t satisfy the current requirements for the tax credit. House Bill 4141 was reported from the Senate with no amendments. The House refused to concur with the Senate amendment for House Bill 4209 and asked the Senate to recede.

Members of the Senate received messages from the House to concur amendments on 13 bills. These bills were passed and will now be sent to the Governor. These bills include Senate Bill 238, which would increase the monetary limit to file a circuit court suit, and Senate Bill 634, which would create the Military Authority Act.

Eleven bills were on third reading and 10 of these passed, including House Bill 4304, which revises the Anatomical Gift Act and House Bill 4344, which relates to the criminal offense of cruelty to animals. These bills have now completed legislation and await approval from the Governor. One bill, Senate Bill 594, which would establish a Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for Students and School Personnel, was recommitted to Education committee.

Members of the House met this evening to receive committee reports and messages from the Senate. The House concurred in Senate amendments to House Bills 4137 and 4500. Members also refused to concur in House Bill 4557 and requested the Senate to recede.

Six bills on third reading on the House Special Calendar were passed. Of these bills include Senate Bill 552, which would allow county commissions' involvement in joint development efforts, and Senate Bill 671, which would increase the compesnation of the presiding Court of Claims' judge.

In addition, 18 bills were read a second time. Five of these were read a third time and passed after suspension of constitutional rule that a bill be read three separate days. This included Senate Bill 634, which would create the Military Authority Act.

The following committees will not meet tomorrow: Judiciary Finance

The House will reconvene at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - 07:17 PM

Senate Passes Bill Which Would Give Tax Credit for New Job Creation

The Senate reconvened this evening to hear bills on second reading. The constitutional rule that bills be read on three separate days was suspended and 16 bills were read a second and third time and passed by the Senate. All of these bills had amendments that were sent to the House for its concurrence.

House Bill 4628 passed the Senate with amendments. This bill would provide a tax credit for new job creation by certain taxpayers.

House Bill 3056 passed the Senate this evening and would allow pharmacists to administer certain immunizations. House Bill 4368 also passed the Senate this evening with amendment and would reduce acts of student violence and disruptive behavior and increase penalties for chronically disruptive students.

Five bills were on first reading and 14 bills were reported out of committee, taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time. All 19 bills were advanced to second reading.

Today, the House issued a citation honoring George Washington High School for its academic achievements and commending them on being awarded AARP's Andrus Legacy Award.

All bills reported from committee without a reference to a second committee were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time. One of these, Senate Bill 590 would add health care workers to the list of people for whom physical assaults against carry enhanced penalties.

The House voted to approve the Senate's amendment to House Bill 4328 and pass it. This bill will exclude the service of a poll worker from being considered a prohibited political activity.

Of the 33 Senate bills on third reading, 18 were passed by the House. One bill, Senate Bill 242, will allow points to be deducted from certain licensees record for attending a defensive driving class.

Sixteen bills completed legislative action today in the Senate. House Bill 4069 will require vision screening for driver's license renewals. House Bill 4124 also completed legislative action and will add CPR and First Aid training to the health education curriculum in secondary schools.

The Senate advanced 17 bills on second reading to third reading during the evening session. Among these, House Bill 4069 would require an individual to pass a vision screening in order to renew a driver’s license and House Bill 4124 would add CPR and First Aid training to the health education curriculum in secondary schools. In addition, House Bill 4368, which would reduce acts of student violence and disruptive behavior, as well as increase penalties for chronically disruptive students by isolating them or placing them in alternative learning centers was laid over one day.

Twelve bills on first reading were advanced to second reading. House Bill 4423 would prohibit a purchaser of scrap metal from knowingly purchasing or possessing a stainless steel beer keg, or part of a keg, for the purpose of reselling as scrap metal unless the purchaser receives the keg from a beer manufacturer, authorized representative or a seller with proof of lawful ownership.

The Senate also received committee reports this evening. Over a dozen bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time. House Bill 4144 was read a second time and relates to physicians assistants and updates language to conform to national changes.

Of the 10 bills reported from House committees this evening, six bills were taken up for immediate consideration. One such bill, Senate Bill 185, would allow storm water systems and storm water management programs to qualify as water development projects of the Water Development Authority. It would also authorize the Water Development Authority to administer the Dam Safety Rehabilitation Revolving Fund Loan Program.

After reconvening at 1:30 p.m., the House met to take up bills on the House Special Calender. One bill, Senate Bill 722, was laid over and will appear on second reading tomorrow. Of the 31 Senate bills on second reading, 16 bills were amended and moved to third reading.

The other 14 bills were advanced to third reading without further amendments. One such bill, Senate Bill 659, would increase the maximum compensation given to a crime victim by the West Virginia Court of Claims to cover the expenses stemming from a funeral, cremation and burial of a victim of a crime from a maximum award of $6,000 to $7,000 and the compensation for economic loss resulting from the death of a crime victim from a maximum amount of $35,000 to $50,000.

Five more bills have completed legislative action. House Bill 2503 will authorize the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue an identification card to West Virginia residents who already possess a valid driver's license. House Bill 4418 will establish a statewide reporting system for hospitals to report their infection rates.

House Bill 4496 passed the Senate today but will go to the House for further consideration. This bill would provide opportunities for memebers of the Teacher's Defined Contribution Retirement System to the State Teachers Retirement System.

House Bill 4328 passed the Senate with amendment today and will go to the House for further consideration. This bill would exclude the service of a poll worker from being considered a prohibited political activity.

The Senate also received committee reports and read four bills for a first time. Three supplementary appropriation bills, House Bill 4712, House Bill 4713 and House Bill 4714, were reported out of committee, taken up for immediate consideration, read a first, second and third time and completed legislative action.

Fifteen Bills Complete Legislation in House on the 56th Day of Session

Today, the House approved the Senate's amendments to House Bill 4677 and House Bill 4478. House Bill 4677 will remove the requirement that the director of personnel must have five years of administrative experience in addition to a degree in business administration, personnel administration or public administration. House Bill 4478 will limit the mid-year transfer of paraprofessionals, interpreters and aides providing one-on-one services, as required by the students' individualized education programs, to students with special needs.

Another 16 Senate bills on third reading were passed by the House. Of these, 13 completed legislation. One bill, Senate Bill 619, would define anticipated and unanticipated users of external defribrillators and exempt them from liability when using an external defribrillator to administer emergency care with good intentions. Thirty-eight bills on second reading were advanced to third.

The Senate met this evening to receive committee reports from the Finance, Transportation and Infrastructure, Government Organization, Pensions, Judiciary and Natural Resources Committees.

House Bill 4496 was read a second time and would provide opportunities for members of the Teachers' Defined Contribution Retirement System ("TDC") to the State Teachers Retirement System ("TRS"). The bill was advanced to third reading.

Ten bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time. One of these bills was House Bill 4329, which would allow the commissioner to offer an optional two year registration for Class G vehicles. The fee for the two year registration would be double a one year registration fee.

This evening the House met to receive reports from various committees.

Of the 10 bills reported from House committees, six bills were taken up for immediate consideration and read a first time. One bill, Senate Bill 286, would give adult and child protective services workers personal immunity from civil liability.

The House began today's session by welcoming West Virginia University's football team to the Chamber with a standing ovation.

Today, 16 bills were advanced to third reading on the House Special Calender. One such bill, Senate Bill 494, would require that printed and electronic poll books be provided to registered voters, who are eligible to vote in an election.

All 24 bills on first reading were advanced to second reading. One bill, Senate Bill 238 would increase the jurisdictional limit for filing suits in circuit court from $300 to $1,000.

The Senate honored the West Virginia University football team this afternoon with Senate Resolution 30. The team was recognized for their achievements on and off of the field during their 2007-2008 football season.

House Bill 4478 will limit the mid-year transfer of certain school employees working with students with exceptionalities. House Bill 4677 will reduce the requirement that the Director of Personnel must have five years experience in personnel management and Senate Bill 579 will appoint additional nonresident members to Bluefield's sanitary board.

Three bills advanced to third reading and 11 bills advanced to second reading.